Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-06-08
TO THE CITIZENS OF WATERFOWL.
y Statement apJ A,,ueaI

n statement and Appeal.
It has tor some time been in the hearts
of the undersigned pastors Of Watertown
to make an appeal to our ellow-citizens,
regarding the better observance of the
Sabbath. We have given to the matter
prayerful consideration for years, and
have patiently waited in the hope that
the growth of enlightened patriotic, not
to say christian, sentiment, would bring
about needed reform Certain things
have been said and done in our name for
which we are in no wise responsible. 1t
has never been our intention to have this
matter forced by means of the law, but
we have simply wished to come before
our fellow-ctizens, as messengers of peace
and goodwill; reasoning together with
them upon subject which ought to be of
vital interest to all who have at hear the
welfare of the humanity. In making the
present appeal we seek to do so in the
spirit of charity, without attacking the
opinions Or even the prejudices of others.
Under free government like ours all re-
form must come from the people them
selves, and the people will be aroused to
demand reform only, when they are edu-
Gated to see its necessity. We therefore
ask the people to look at this question
! with us calmly and dispassionately, while
we endeavor to point out some of its prac-
tcal bearings. We speak as unto wise
men; judge We what we say.
The laws of the state regarding Sabbath
observance have evidently been framed
SO as to secure 10 the sons of toll day of
rest, and to guard and protect all wor-
shippers in the free aud undisturbed use
OF one day in seven, as day to be set
apart for sacred worship. The opening
of stores, saloons and places of business,
the running of trains. and all public
amusements are strictly prohibited on the
Lords day by statutory law; and every
violation of said law is punishable by
heavy penalties And yet, these laws of
the state are openly and defantly disre-
garded amongst us. Places of business
are kept open: our city is made the
dumping-ground for unreliable excursi on
ISIS, who come from other places to spend
the day in pleasure-seeking, or in un-
seemly carousals; the peace and quiet of
the city is disturbed by street parades,
| rights of large portion of the community
are ruthlessly trampled under foot
In view of these great and growing
| evils we call upon all law-abiding citizens
to unite with us in protesting against all
| such high-handed contempt for consti-
tuted authority, and in making every
| legitimate effort to secure peace, quiet,
and good order. And we would respect
fully remind the law breakers that law
lessness is not liberty; and that no man
has right to do what he pleases, unless
| he pleases to do what is right, and that
which does not infringe upon the rights
and liberty of others.
We make our appeal upon the ground
of good citizenship. Let all who value
the safety and welfare of the state unite
in resisting that spirit of lawIessness,
which, unless checked, must alternately
and inevitably take the underpinning out
of society and bring about social disin-
tegration and ruin.
We appeal to our fellow-citizens also
upon the basis ofenlightened self interest.
BY enforcing the Sunday laws and pro-
tecting the day of rest and worship we
will keep man from being robbed of one
of the best boons of heaven. The Sabbath
was made for man; it is founded upon
natural law; it has the reasons for its
existence in mans nature and needs.
Take from the workingman the Sabbath
rest, and you reduce him to the position
of a serf,-a beast of burden. In the
name, therefore, of the merchants, clerks,
and others, who by the wrong customs of
society, are deprived of their natural and
civil rights, we plead for complete eman-
cipation from all Sunday labor. History
and observation abundantly testify that
the proper observance of the Sabbath is
necessary to secure the realization of the
true worth, dignity, and welfare of man.
Secularize the Sabbath and you 'rivet
the collar of Sunday labor more tightly
about the necks Of the sons of toil.5
Keep the Sabbath, as the Lord of the
Sabbath meant 1T to be kept, aud you
minister to the highest happiness and
welfare of man.
We appeal to christians of every creed,
and to all who fear God, to assist in the
wise enforcement of the law, and in all
right efforts to secure social and moral re-
form. While we regard the command to
remember the Sabbath day and keep it
holy" as of absolute obligation upon all
human souls, everywhere, and at all
times, we look especially to the christian
people of this place to set such al exam
pie in the matter of Sunday observance
as to relieve them of all suspicion of be-
ing in any degree partakers in this great
offence against the well-being of society,
and against the statutes of God. Let not
Gods holy day be desecrated, by being
put to unholy uses. Let not holy day
be changed into a holiday. Seek after
the more reyerent observance of the day
which God has given for bodily rest and
for spiritual improvement. Abstain from
all participation in Sunday travelling,
Sunday trading, Sunday amusements;
and from all servile work except works
of necessity and mercy. Pray and labor
with us for the establishment of social
righteousness, that we as a people may es-
cape the Judgements, and secure the bless
ings of heaven.
Respectfully submitted,
JAS. M. CAMPBELL,